Portable inflatable traffic diverting device



M. O. WEIG Sept. 11, 1956 PORTABLE INFLATABLE TRAFF'IC DIVERTING DEVICE Filed July 21, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 JNVENTOR. MoRRIs O. WEIG Arma/m Sept. 11, 1956 M. o. WEIG 2,762,32 7

PORTABLE INFLATABLE TRAFFIC DIVERTING DEVICE Filed July 21, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. NORRIS O. WEIG United States Patent O PURTA'BLE INFLATABLE TRAFF IC DIVE'RTIING DEVICE Mo'rs 0. Weig, Lynbrook, N. Y.

Application July 21, 1954, Serial No. 444,744

1 Claim. (Cl. 116-63) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in trafiic diverting devices such as are set up on streets, roads and highways to route traflic around workmen, freshly painted road lines or signs or the like.

More particularly, the present invention proposes the construction of an improved trafiic diverting device which can be compactly stored or stacked for transporting and which will not harm an automobila or other vehicle which by accident hits or runs over it.

As a further object, the present invention proposes forming a traflic diverting device with a heavy resilient base and an infiatable and collapsible resilient center portion.

Still further, the present invention proposes constructing the trafiic diverting device so that it can be nflated into the familiar and convenient to handle conical shape.

Another object of the present invention proposes forming the traffic diverting device with a center portion which is conical when nflated and which can be coated with light reflecting paint or other trafic warning surface coatngs.

A still further object of the present invention proposes constructing the traflic diverting device with a plurality of resilient tabs extending over the inflatable and collapsible resilient center portion to hold such portion fiatly on the base in collapsed position and to bear against the sides of the conical center portion when nflated to assist in collapsng it when it is defiated.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claim in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

On the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of a traffic diverting device constructed and arranged in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but showing the center portion of the device collapsed.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the structure as shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but showing a modification of the invention.

Fig. 6 is another View similar to Fig. 2 but showing a still further modification of the invention.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view of the infiatable center member before it is formed to include a weighted circular tube.

The traific diverting device of the present invention has a heavy base of resilient material such as hard rubber, plastic or the like. The base 15 is circular or disc-shaped with a solid bottom surface 16.

A central circular recess 17 is formed in the top surface of the base 15 and a rim 18 is disposed on the top surface between the recess 17 and the peripheral or outer edge 19 of the base.

Extending from the rim 18 inwardly and overlyng the recess 17 are a plurality of resilient tabs or members 20, 21 and 22 preferably formed integral with the base 15.

Inside the recess 17 on the base 15 is disposed an nflatable and collapsible resilient center portion or member 23 which is in a shape adapted to tower above the base as a cone when nflated. The center portion 23 has spaced side walls 24 and 25, side wall 24 being the outer wall and side wall 25 being the inner wall. In addition, center o portion 23 has two spaced bottom walls 26 and 27, the

lower wall 26 being fixed to the base 15 in the recess 17. Walls 24 and 26 and walls 25 and 27 are connected together and a top wall 28 connects the side walls 24 and 25. The top wall 28 is considerably thicker than walls 24 and 25 so as to provide a weight to facilitate the collapsing of the center portion 23,

An air valve 29 secured to side wall 24 at the base o'r closely adjacent thereto provides means to nfiate and defiate the center portion 23 of the device.

When the center portion 23 is nflated as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, it rises over and towers above the heavy base 15 like a cone. The resilient tabs or members 20, 21 and 22 press inwardly against the outer side wall 24 of the center portion 23 so that when cap 30 is removed from air valve 29 these tabs 20, 21 and 22 will aid in deflating the center portion 23 and in collapsing it in the recess 17. Once the center portion 23 is so collapsed, the resilient tabs 20, 21 and 22 tend to hold it securely in the base recess 17 so that the device can be easily stacked, stored and transported.

In Fig. 5, the heavy base 15' is made integral with the resilient center member 23' which is covered with a comparatively thick cover wall 28' to facilitate the collapsing of the center portion 23' when the air valve 29' is open for deflating.

In other respects this form of the invention is similar to the previous form and corresponding parts may be recognized by similar reference numerals With a prime added.

It is to be understood that the base 15 or 15' may be made heavier by inserting or moulding into the base any desired weight material, such as sand, cement, lead, etc.

In Figs. 6 and 7, the conical-shaped, infiatable center member 35 is similar to that shown in the previous form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 5 and is provided with a comparatively thick core or top wall 36. The bottom annular edge 37 of the conical center member 35 is adapted to be folded upwardly as shown at 39 and then downwardly to form an annular tubing 40 which is filled With sand 41, or any other heavy material to act as a weight for holding the traffic diverting device on the ground.

The free bottom edge 37 of the conical center member is then heat sealed at 42 to close the annular tubng 40 and to prevent the sand, or the like, from escaping therefrom The bottom of the substantially conically shaped traffic diverting device is then covered with a circular airpervious sheet material 43, preferably made of plastic material which will be heat sealed at 44 to the outer surface of the free edge 37 to form a conical, inflatable body 45. This body may be nflated through an air valve 46 which is normally closed by a suitable closure cap 47 and then the device may be readily used as a portable trafic diverting device and set up on streets, roads, etc.

This device may be collapsed by deflating the conical inflatable body 45 through its valve 46. A plurality of these devices may be stacked in collapsed condition for storing or transporting the same.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the inventon as defined in the appended claim.

.Having .thus .described my invention, what -I :elaim as new .and .desire to secure .by United States Letters Patentjs:

A ortable trafic diverting device com prsing a leavy base., an inflatabe ,and ,colla psible .center ;portion adapted to .tower above .said base when inflated and means at the :base .to inate -the center portion, said center portion being substantiallycnical when inflated, said heavy base consisting of sand or similar ;material nelosed in an ;annular ttubing, said annular tubing 'being integral with the ,center ;portion 'of the device .and having the ;free .bot- .tom edge of :the said center ;portion firstftolded upward y `and then downwardly ;to -form a tube, the 'free bottom dg of .the ,seid enter npstcm being threat malesi, sai sand or other weighting material being filled into the said annular tubing before heat seaiing the bottom edge thereof, and a bottom disc made of plastc or the like material attached by heat sealing to the said bottom edge of the annular tubing portion to form an inflatable, substantially concal air-pervious,por.thle trafic dverting device.

References Citegl :in the ;file of this pa-tent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

